Our property in Baja Sur has many gnarled sprawling trees that we were told were wild plums. In fact they are called cyrtocarpus edulis and really are not a plum at all. Sadly many have been bulldozed away in Baja Sur but the former owners of our home kept them and in fact called the property, Los Abrbolitos, which is little trees. Actually they are pretty big trees now. And the fruits are called ciruela something—sorry, I forgot that second word.
Here is what we have learned from living here year round: the tree looses all its leaves in winter. Which is nice as that is when you enjoy the warm sunshine. As soon as the humidity and a bit of rain starts, the trees flower, fruit then finally begin to leaf out. It is amazing how these trees that may only get 1-2 rainstorms all year (and no irrigation) continue to grow and produce fruit. Some years they get no rain at all!
I have been surprised to find relatively little written about the tree. Here is the most important thing I have learned from lots of practice : in the heat of the summer the best breakfast is a cup of coffee with lots of milk to cool it then one by one, picking the prolific yellow fruits. You must pick them when soft. I bite the top off and squirt the sweet fruit into my mouth. It is sweet, pineapple, peach and nutty flavors. The iguanas clean up my mess… as I discard the skin and seed. The flavor is addicting and goes well with Sauvignon Blanc in the evening.
Here is what we have learned from talking with those who live here: Many local people love the nuts inside the fruit. The fruit has a small hard seed…. Pistachio sized. The seed is cracked open with a small hammer. The nuts are collected and eaten plain or used to decorate cakes and pastries. The birds don’t seem crazy about the fruit but they work hard to get that nut. After about 15 minutes of trying to extract the nut using my molcahete, I finally extracted a tiny half crushed something. Have to say it was one of those “it’s the journey “ moments. Perhaps I needed a larger sample size. Our gardener (which I really hate saying), told me there is a blind woman in a nearby town who opens the nuts quickly, beautifully, and perfectly with a tiny hammer. He goes there to buy them from her. I guess I need to find her!
What I have learned from reading: They are trying to grow the tree in other areas given its very low water needs. I have also read that Mexicans cook the fruit in chilis, water and a bit of sugar to make a sort of chunky sauce—-sweet and spicy. My goal is to make that and serve if with roasted pork or perhaps with a red snapper off the grill? I am always searching for a flavor I have never had before and while the tropical cherry was certainly that this is one that is new and lovable.
Well, I had a couple more great pics to add, but the flight is about to take off so I better close. I had hoped to also do an entry about the wonderful foods we have found here so will need to save that one for my next post. I do feel there is tremendous potential for unique fruits eaten locally but not on the menus here…….to get on those menus! Lots of complex and unique flavors to explore…… Perhaps even a wild plum wine could be made from these fruits? If so I will need help picking. Any volunteers?
Life's Been Good To Us So Far! 